Henry Bell Helgren

BILL HELGREN - Henry Bell (Bill) Helgren passed away on September 17th, 2008 at his home in South Austin surrounded and cared for by his loving family. Bill was born "in the post oaks" near the Lockwood community east of Manor on April 15th 1927, a son of Wesley Leonard Helgren Sr and Eudora "Dora" Cook Helgren. In those days the Helgrens were tenant farmers and sharecroppers, only one generation removed from their native Sweden. Bill's stories of the hardships of farm life through the Great Depression reflected the experiences of the hardest-working Americans, members of The Greatest Generation. Bill served his country in the United States Army throughout World War II. Upon completing his military service, Bill returned to Austin to marry, raise a family and practice his trade as a printer. He retired from the printshop at the University of Texas Press. Bill Helgren is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Benson Helgren; his daughters, Deborah Richards and her husband Dan of Red Rock, Brenda Voigt and her husband Jay of Watterson, Cindy Gray and her husband Keith of Lake Jackson; grandchildren, Heath Kitchens and his wife Kristi of Hutto, Stason Kitchens of Round Rock, Brandy Otto of Austin, Royce Otto and his wife Shelly of Round Rock and Trint of Lake Jackson. Bill is also survived by his twin sister, Dora Nell Helgren of Austin, and two older brothers, John E Helgren and Leonard Helgren Jr. both of Austin. Visitation/reception will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home. A graveside service in Bill's honor will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at Capital Memorial Park, 14501 North IH35, Pflugerville, Texas. The family requests that memorials and gifts in lieu of flowers be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd, Suite 100, Austin 78759